Payton's Places

Gymnastics!

First day at Mom-Tot class. Yay, we finally found the gym! It only took a week, ah the joys of living in the country J.





Only Ms. Dana could help Tatum, little booger

Tatum loved gymnastics, but if she wants to go back she needs to be "So Big" and get rid of the binky. Only big girls without binkies are allowed at gymnastics. This afternoon she took a nap without a binky (which she already does at day care), yay! We will see how the rest of the week goes. Fingers crossed!

Phrase of the Week

"Hey, Mom, Hey! Can we talk about it?"

Um? Did I miss something? Tatum is still only two, right? J

First Sleepover

For weeks, Tatum has been asking if Stasia could come over. A sleepover was scheduled. Tatum was excited all week! She and Stasia were adorable together. They hugged when they first saw each other. They played so well with each other, surprisingly so for a three and two-year-old. As a special treat, they rented a movie (not Chipmunks!), stayed up late, and ate popcorn. Thinking it was the coolest; they then slept together on an air mattress in Tatum’s room. They had so much fun.

The sleepover was bittersweet for Dustin and I. We loved seeing Tatum have fun. However, it was difficulty knowing she will never have moments with Payton. Numerous small gestures most wouldn't think twice about were stabs into our hearts. Tatum and Stasia spoke in their own language, held hands in the car, snuggled during the movie, and whispered to each other at 5:30am. Even the simple task of getting them in/out of the car was emotionally challenging. Dustin buckled Tatum in on the driver-side as I buckled Stasia on the passenger-side. I couldn't help to think this should be our lives every day; Dustin buckling in Tatum while I am busy buckling in Payton. All I can say is it was HARD, harder than I imagined. More than a few tears were shed.

Puppet Show

Tatum is a bit deprived as Dustin and I (okay mostly it's me) don't allow her to watch much TV. She watches Broncos' football, one half hour Disney show, and believes only two movies exist; "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel". Being a cold, cloudy fall morning we decided to snuggle in bed and watch a movie. At the end of "the Squeakquel" the evil manager puts on a Chipettes sock puppet concert. After the movie Tatum preformed her own show. Maybe it's motherly love but I think this girl is too funny!

A Toddler's Self Assessment

When I arrived to pick Tatum up from day care she was in the middle of 'thinking time'. After she did her time and apologized for her behaviors we left to meet Dustin for all-u-can eat lobster. (Side note: I out ate Dustin, 6.5 lobsters to his 5.5) Anyway, on the way to the restaurant Tatum says, "Mommy not happy with me because I so stubborn. I not take a nap." The combination of her accurate statement of being stubborn and scowling face was hysterical.

Husband Week

There is a facebook posting stating it is ‘Husband Week’. It might only be a facebook event because a Google search did not uncover any such occasion. Nevertheless, Dustin’s birthday is also this week so I am going to celebrate my wonderful husband!

In the movie “Because of Winn Dixie”, Opal tells her father, “I've been talking to Winn-Dixie and he agreed with me that, since I'm ten years old, you should tell me ten things about my mama. Just ten things, that's all”.

Dustin reluctantly watched the chick-flick with me while we were dating. Being my cheeseball self, over the next few days I sent him a text of what I loved about him, one at a time. The one I remember texting is I loved him for watching “Because of Winn Dixie” with me. How I remember, I have no idea. Dustin always says I have the strangest memory. I can remember the most obscure things but not yesterday.

Anyway, here are 10 things I love about my husband (in no specific order)- cheesy I know.

1. He is an Absolutely Amazing father to our two girls!

2. He does everything he can to make our family happy and keep us safe.

3. He loves me exactly as I am.

4. He is witty and makes me laugh.

5. He can be as cheesy as I am.

6. He works hard at everything he does. He worked two full-time jobs, got married, and was expecting a child while maintained a 4.0 GPA in a master’s program in special education. He worked a full-time job, was married to a hormonal woman, had a challenging toddler, was expecting a second child, and house-hunted while maintaining a 4.0 GPA in a post graduate administration program.

7. He is the first to apologize even when he shouldn’t, because he knows how stubborn I can be.

8. He completed all the arrangements for Payton’s service.

9. He watched “Because of Winn Dixie”, and so many other chick-flicks with me.

10. He packs my lunch and leaves a note every day.

11. He still tells me I am beautiful every day.

12. He is a wonderful kisser.

13. He cooks breakfast on the weekends.

OK, I couldn’t keep the list to 10 things. Happy Husband Week. Happy Birthday. I love you!

Payton's Presence

We had an amazing 19 family and friends with us to honor and celebrate Payton, Jodi Lee, Jaden, and Bean Duden. It was a tearful and beautiful ceremony to remember all the babies. Parents told their child's story, read poems, and sang songs. Each babies' name was read aloud as family members released balloons. Doves were released followed by a remembrance walk. We are so grateful for the support from family and friends.

Ready To Go

With the dreaded holidays and fateful anniversary looming in the distance, Dustin and I decided we need a getaway. Cabo here we come! But not for a few months. First, there is much to do. Today I spent the day filling out passport applications for Tatum and a married-named one for myself. We had our passport photos taken. It only took Tatum 20 minutes and a bribe to buy ANY-thing in Walgreen's for her to sit and frown long enough for a picture to be taken. Progress! Then it was off to the passport authority.

As were we leaving Tatum ran around collecting ideas. Unable to find her "pack gack" she settled on placing her ideas in a bag. Milk and bag in hand she was packed and ready to, "Go beach. Go Cabo beach". What did she pack you wonder? The essentials; bath washcloth, "luFFA" (it is actually a net bath sponge), bath basketball net, blowfish basketballs, "robot" (a floating clam timer), and "homework". Lets just say she was not happy we didn't go directly to the beach.   

Homework

Tatum, eyes barely open says, "Mommy I have do homework for my new class", referring to her new big girl Sunday school class. I think I will hold onto this and use it in a few years when she refuses to complete homework.